Flash-dram hybrid memory module
In certain embodiments, a memory module includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having an interface that couples it to a host system for provision of power, data, address and control signals. First, second, and third buck converters receive a pre-regulated input voltage and produce first, second and third regulated voltages. A converter circuit reduces the pre-regulated input voltage to provide a fourth regulated voltage. Synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) devices are coupled to one or more regulated voltages of the first, second, third and fourth regulated voltages, and a voltage monitor circuit monitors an input voltage and produces a signal in response to the input voltage having a voltage amplitude that is greater than a threshold voltage.
1. A memory module comprising:
a printed circuit board (PCB) having an interface configured to fit into a corresponding slot connector of a host system, the interface including a plurality of edge connections configured to couple power, data, address and control signals between the memory module and the host system;
a voltage conversion circuit coupled to the PCB and configured to provide at least three regulated voltages, wherein the voltage conversion circuit includes at least three buck converters each of which is configured to produce a regulated voltage of the at least three regulated voltages;
a plurality of components coupled to the PCB, each component of the plurality of components coupled to at least one regulated voltage of the at least three regulated voltages, the plurality of components including a plurality of synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) devices and a first circuit that is coupled to the plurality of SDRAM devices and to a first set of edge connections of the plurality of edge connections, wherein the first circuit is coupled to first and second regulated voltages of the at least three regulated voltages, and wherein the plurality of SDRAM devices are coupled to the first regulated voltage of the at least three regulated voltages.
2. The memory module of claim 1 , wherein the first regulated voltage has a first voltage amplitude, and the second regulated voltage has a second voltage amplitude; and wherein a first one of the first and second voltage amplitudes is less than a second one of the first and second voltage amplitudes.
3. The memory module of claim 1 , wherein a third regulated voltage of the at least three regulated voltages has a voltage amplitude of 1.8 volts.
4. The memory module of claim 1 , further comprising:
a voltage monitor circuit coupled to the PCB and to a second set of edge connections of the plurality of edge connections, the voltage monitor circuit configured to monitor an input voltage received from the second set of edge connections, the voltage monitor circuit configured to produce a trigger signal in response to the input voltage having a voltage amplitude below a predetermined threshold voltage, wherein the memory module transitions from a first operable state to a second operable state in response to the trigger signal.
5. The memory module of claim 4 , further comprising:
a controller coupled to the voltage monitor circuit; wherein, in response to the trigger signal, the controller is configured to perform one or more operations including a write operation to transfer data to non-volatile memory.
6. The memory module of claim 1 , further comprising:
a voltage monitor circuit coupled to the PCB and to a second set of edge connections of the plurality of edge connections, the voltage monitor circuit configured to monitor an input voltage received from the second set of edge connections, the voltage monitor circuit configured to produce a trigger signal in response to the input voltage having a voltage amplitude above a predetermined threshold voltage, wherein the memory module transitions from a first operable state to a second operable state in response to the trigger signal.
7. The memory module of claim 6 , further comprising:
a controller coupled to the voltage monitor circuit; wherein, in response to the trigger signal, the controller is configured to perform one or more operations including a write operation to transfer data to non-volatile memory.
8. The memory module of claim 1 , further comprising:
a controller coupled to the PCB, the controller including a voltage monitor circuit configured to monitor an input voltage received from a second set of edge connections of the plurality of edge connections, wherein, in response to the voltage monitor circuit detecting a power threshold condition, the voltage monitor circuit transmits a signal to one or more portions of the controller.
9. The memory module of claim 8 , wherein the voltage monitor circuit detecting a power threshold condition includes the voltage monitor circuit detecting an amplitude of the input voltage being above a first predetermined threshold voltage, and wherein the first predetermined threshold voltage is above a specified operating voltage.
10. The memory module of claim 9 , wherein the first predetermined threshold voltage is ten percent above the specified operating voltage.
11. The memory module of claim 9 , wherein the voltage monitor circuit detecting a power threshold condition includes the voltage monitor circuit detecting an amplitude of the input voltage being below a second predetermined threshold voltage, wherein the second predetermined threshold voltage is below the specified operating voltage, and wherein the memory module transitions from a first operable state to a second operable state in response to the signal.
12. The memory module of claim 11 , wherein the second predetermined threshold voltage is ten percent below the specified operating voltage.
13. The memory module of claim 8 , wherein the voltage monitor circuit detecting a power threshold condition includes the voltage monitor circuit detecting a power reduction condition or a low voltage condition of the input voltage.
14. The memory module of claim 8 , wherein the voltage monitor circuit detecting a power threshold condition includes the voltage monitor circuit detecting a request by the host system.
15. The memory module of claim 1 , wherein two of the at least three buck converters are configured to operate as a dual-buck converter.
16. A memory module comprising:
a printed circuit board (PCB) having an interface configured to fit into a corresponding slot connector of a host system;
a voltage conversion circuit coupled to the PCB and configured to provide a plurality of regulated voltages, wherein the voltage conversion circuit includes three buck converters each of which is configured to produce a regulated voltage of the plurality of regulated voltages;
a plurality of components coupled to the PCB, each component of the plurality of components coupled to at least one regulated voltage of the plurality of regulated voltages, the plurality of components including a plurality of synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) devices, the plurality of SDRAM devices coupled to a first regulated voltage of the plurality of regulated voltages; and
a controller coupled to the PCB, the controller including a voltage monitor circuit coupled to an input voltage received from the host system via the interface, the voltage monitor circuit configured to detect an amplitude change in the input voltage, wherein, in response to the voltage monitor detecting an amplitude change in the input voltage, the memory module transitions from a first operable state to a second operable state.
17. The memory module of claim 16 , wherein the voltage monitor circuit is configured to detect the input voltage being above a first predetermined threshold voltage and to detect the input voltage being below a second predetermined threshold voltage.
18. The memory module of claim 16 , wherein, in the first operable state, the voltage conversion circuit provides the first regulated voltage to the plurality of SDRAM devices using a first pre-regulated voltage, and wherein, in the second operable state, the voltage conversion circuit provides the first regulated voltage to the plurality of SDRAM devices using a second pre-regulated voltage.
19. The memory module of claim 18 , wherein, in the first operable state, the first pre-regulated voltage is supplied to the voltage conversion circuit via a circuit, and wherein, in the second operable state, the second pre-regulated voltage is supplied to the voltage conversion circuit via the circuit.
20. The memory module of claim 19 , wherein the circuit includes a first diode having a first input and a first output, the first input is coupled to the first pre-regulated voltage and the first output is coupled to the voltage conversion circuit, and wherein the circuit includes a second diode having a second input and a second output, the second input is coupled to the second pre-regulated voltage and the second output is coupled to the first output and to the voltage conversion circuit.
21. The memory module of claim 16 , further comprising:
a first circuit having a first input, a second input and an output, the first input coupled to a first pre-regulated voltage, the second input coupled to a second pre-regulated voltage, the output coupled to the voltage conversion circuit, wherein the voltage conversion circuit provides the first regulated voltage to the plurality of SDRAM devices using a supply voltage, wherein, in the first operable state, the first circuit provides the supply voltage to the voltage conversion circuit via the output using the first pre-regulated voltage, and wherein, in the second state, the first circuit provides the supply voltage to the voltage conversion circuit via the output using the second pre-regulated voltage.
22. The memory module of claim 21 , wherein the first circuit includes a first diode coupled between the first input and the output and a second diode coupled between the second input and the output.
23. The memory module of claim 16 , wherein the voltage monitor circuit is configured to produce a trigger signal in response to detecting an amplitude change in the input voltage; and wherein, in response to the trigger signal, the controller is configured to perform one or more operations including a write operation to transfer data to non-volatile memory.
24. A memory module comprising:
a printed circuit board (PCB) having an interface configured to fit into a corresponding slot connector of a host system;
a voltage conversion circuit configured to provide a plurality of regulated voltages, wherein the voltage conversion circuit includes three buck converters each of which is configured to produce a regulated voltage of the plurality of regulated voltages;
a plurality of components each coupled to at least one regulated voltage of the plurality of regulated voltages, the plurality of components including a plurality of synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) devices, wherein the plurality of SDRAM devices are coupled to a first regulated voltage of the plurality of regulated voltages; and
a controller including a voltage monitor circuit coupled to an input voltage received from the host system via the interface of the PCB, the voltage monitor circuit configured to monitor the input voltage, wherein the controller is configured to perform one or more operations in response to the voltage monitor circuit detecting an amplitude change in the input voltage, and wherein the one or more operations include a write operation to transfer data into non-volatile memory.
25. The memory module of claim 24 , wherein, in response to the voltage monitor circuit detecting an amplitude change in the input voltage, the memory module transitions from a first operable state to a second operable state.
26. The memory module of claim 25 , wherein, in the first operable state, the voltage conversion circuit provides the first regulated voltage to the plurality of SDRAM devices using a first pre-regulated voltage, and wherein, in the second operable state, the voltage conversion circuit provides the first regulated voltage to the plurality of SDRAM devices using a second pre-regulated voltage.
27. The memory module of claim 26 , wherein the first pre-regulated voltage is coupled to the voltage conversion circuit via a first diode.
28. The memory module of claim 27 , wherein the second pre-regulated voltage is coupled to the voltage conversion circuit via a second diode.
29. The memory module of claim 24 , wherein the voltage monitor circuit is configured to detect the input voltage being above a first predetermined threshold voltage or below a second predetermined threshold voltage.
30. The memory module of claim 29 , wherein the first predetermined threshold voltage is above a specified operating voltage, and the second predetermined threshold voltage is below the specified operating voltage.